Revisiting the reactivity of different carbon bases: A theoretical study

Quantum chemical calculations are performed on different carbon bases to understand the origin of their reactivity. Both carbon(0) and carbon(II) bases may show very high values of second proton affinity as well as bond dissociation energies for gem‐dimetallation. Thus, their distinction becomes blurred when subjected to electrophilic attack. However, unlike carbon(0) bases, carbon(II) bases are ambiphilic in nature owing to the presence of a σ symmetric lone pair and a vacant π orbital concentrated on the central carbon atom. Thus, they may show different reactivity when subjected to nucleophilic attack. This reactivity difference may be considered as another distinction between these two classes of compounds. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The development of information storage materials — How microscopy can help?

The response of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) devices depends critically on the film microstructure, with parameters such as layer thickness and interfacial abruptness being crucial. This paper presents results obtained using high resolution electron microscopy (HREM), chemical mapping and atom probe microanalysis. Local variations in the magnetic properties are induced by the microstructure and also when the films are patterned to form small elements. These lead to changes in the magnetization reversal mechanism. Some results of the studies of the magnetization reversal carried out using in situ in Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM) magnetizing experiments are also included.     

Peak effect studies in single crystals CeRu2 and 2H-NbS2

We have studied the peak effect (PE) phenomenon in single crystals of weakly pinned superconductors CeRu₂ and 2H-NbS₂. 2H-NbS₂ is iso-structural and iso-electronic to 2H-NbSe₂, whose similarity with CeRu₂ as regards the PE representing the order-to-disorder transformation of the flux line lattice was claimed some time ago. We report on the step change in equilibrium magnetization across the peak effect in CeRu₂. We also present the vortex phase diagram of 2H-NbS₂ obtained from the magnetization data, and compare the PE phenomenon in 2H-NbS₂ and 2H-NbSe₂.     

Theoretical strategies toward stabilization of singlet remote N‐heterocyclic carbenes

Theoretical investigations predict that the singlet states of ylide‐substituted remote carbenes are significantly stable and comparable to those of experimentally known NHCs. They are also found to be strongly σ‐donating in nature as evident from an evaluation of the carbonyl stretching frequencies (ν_CO) of their complexes with the [Rh(CO)₂Cl] fragment. NICS and QTAIM based bond magnetizability calculations indicate the presence of cyclic electron delocalization in majority of the molecules. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis and Trapping of Iminoboranes by M=B/C=N Bond Metathesis

Although the metathesis of metal–boron double bonds with elemental chalcogenides is an established process, no similar reactivity has been observed with element–nitrogen bonds. Such a reaction would provide a new route to iminoborane compounds (RB≡NR′), which have recently experienced renewed synthetic interest. Herein, we present the first observation of M=B/C=N metathesis reactions, which led to the isolation of a stable iminoborane in addition to further iminoborane cycloaddition products.     

A simple and efficient bromoformyloxylation and bromoacetoxylation reaction using TsNBr2

Bromoformyloxylation and bromoacetoxylation of olefins proceed smoothly and instantaneously in the presence of N,N-dibromo-p-toluene sulfonamide without any catalyst. The one step reactions can be carried out with all kinds of olefins in high yield and high regio and stereoselectivities.     

Effect of electron emission and potential perturbations of a hot filament in high voltage pulsed glow discharge

The high voltage dc pulsed glow discharge can be ignited earlier by putting an electron emitting filament in the plasma chamber. The electrons emitted from the filament act as a seed and can cause earlier ignition. The potential of the hot filament shows some periodic positive perturbations (electron loss signals) when it is kept floating in the plasma chamber. It is observed that the positive perturbations disappear as potential difference between the plasma and the filament is made smaller by directly connecting the filament to the grounded chamber.     

Effect of Discharge Voltage on an Ion Sheath Formed at a Grid in a Multi-Dipole Discharge Plasma

It is experimentally demonstrated that a relatively strong ion-rich sheath formed at a fixed negative bias of the grid can be changed to a rather weak ion sheath （sheath potential weakly retards electrons） only by increasing the discharge voltage in the system. At sufficiently high negative grid bias, an increase of discharge voltage enhances the ion collection current at the grid. An explanation is put forward in support of this experimental observation. A slight density enhancement with a fall in plasma electron temperature is also observed with the increasing negative grid bias.     

Phosphinoborylenes as stable sources of fleeting borylenes

Base-stabilised borylenes that mimic the ability of transition metals to bind and activate inert substrates have attracted significant attention in recent years. However, such species are typically highly reactive and fleeting, and often cannot be isolated at ambient temperature. Herein, we describe a readily accessible trimethylphosphine-stabilised borylborylene which was found to possess a labile P–B bond that reversibly cleaves upon gentle heating. Exchange of the labile phosphine with other nucleophiles (CO, isocyanide, 4-dimethylaminopyridine) was investigated, and the binding strength of a range of potential borylene “ligands” has been evaluated computationally. The room-temperature-stable PMe₃-bound borylenes were subsequently applied to novel bond activations including [2 + 2] cycloaddition with carbodiimides and the reduction of dichalcogenides, revealing that PMe₃-stabilised borylenes can effectively behave as stable sources of the analogous fleeting dicoordinate species under mild conditions.

A room-temperature stable phosphinoborylene provides a source of a reactive two-coordinate borylene via dissociation of a labile phosphine upon gentle heating. Ligand exchange, the capture of unsaturated molecules, and oxidation have been explored.